Centre adds ‘go-to’ venues

Construction's in full swing on a hospitality and town square development, called Junction, that is designed to form the centre stage of Frankton’s Queenstown Central shopping centre.

Expected to open around December next year, it’ll be on the southern side of Central St, opposite hospo tenants like Love Chicken and The Coffee Club, and around the corner from Kmart.

Queenstown Central spokesperson Simon Holloway says the "vibrant" hospo venue, catering for up to 350 guests, will be integrated within an "intimately-landscaped" town square.

Designed to reflect "the rich rural character of Central Otago", Junction, he adds, will provide a variety of "quality food vendor stations and a bar to suit all tastes".

Spearheaded by locally-owned Future Hospitality Group, whose Queenstown CBD offerings include Little Blackwood, Margo’s, Little Mez, Odd Saint and two ice bars, it’ll include a central bar and main kitchen and four other food stations.

Holloway anticipates it’ll become "the go-to choice for locals seeking both casual bites and special occasions" — be they intimate family gatherings or multi-family celebrations.

The venue will include exclusive mezzanine function spaces.

"Its adaptability transforms through the seasons, opening up in summer with barn doors and sun-soaked courtyards, while winter brings cosy moments around multiple fireplaces," Holloway says.

According to resource consent paperwork, the courtyard area will be separated from the public area by a low concrete wall.

The town square, it says, can cater for different events such as performances, markets and other community events, with outdoor seating, landscaping and shaded areas provided.

The build is being handled by Cook Brothers Construction.